Big Brother 27 player Mickey Lee was born with a hole in her heart, she told host Julie Chen Moonves during a September appearance on her “God 101” podcast. One day after Lee’s death at age 35, Chen Moonves, 55, reflected on their discussion.
“Two months ago I interviewed Mickey Lee on ‘God 101,’” Chen Moonves wrote via Instagram on Friday, December 26. “That’s when she revealed to me that she was born with a hole in her heart, and as an adult she survived an ATV accident that should have killed her, but God kept her alive.”
She continued, “Last night God brought her home 🕊️ Rest In Peace dear Mickey. I will see you again on the other side in eternity. I pray the good Lord comforts and heals your family and loved ones as we grieve your passing. Amen 🙏🏼.”
Lee died on Thursday, December 25, after being hospitalized following multiple cardiac arrests. She had been battling complications from the flu and was in “critical but stable” condition, her family reported on Monday, December 22.
The family broke the news of Mickey’s death on Friday morning via her Instagram account.
“With profound sadness, the family of Mickey Lee announces her transition on Christmas in the early evening,” their statement read.
Julie Chen Moonves, Mickey Lee.Getty Images (2)
“Mickey captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her appearance on Big Brother, where her authenticity, strength and spirit left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike,” the statement continued. “She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.”
Mickey spent 59 days in the Big Brother house during the summer of 2025 and was the last player to be evicted before the jury phase began. She was best known for using her “HoH Interrogator” power to dethrone Rylie Jeffries and subsequently nominate him for eviction. She stumbled, however, when she was convinced to also nominate her ally, Jimmy Heagerty, who was ultimately evicted when Rylie, 27, won his way off the chopping block.
Mickey’s family had also launched a GoFundMe when they first revealed her illness in an effort to offset medical costs. As of Friday morning, it had raised more than $32,000.
“Many of you know Mickey Lee from Big Brother (CBS) where she became one of the most talked about houseguests on Season 27,” their statement read at the time. “A vibrant, strategic and unforgettable personality, Mickey captured the attention of fans with her energy, authenticity and bold gameplay. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and based in Atlanta, Georgia, she brought charm and fierce competition to the Big Brother house as an event curator and creative force.”
Her fellow Big Brother 27 players began posting tributes to their fellow houseguest as the news began to spread.
“Forever my girl. Rest in power, Micks,” Jimmy, 25, wrote via his Instagram Story over a photo of the two of them having a drink together.
“Was hoping for different news regarding Mickey,” fourth-place finisher Ava Pearl added via her Instagram Story. “A genuine tragedy for anyone to pass as young as she did, wishing her friends and family peace, respect, and privacy during this time. No matter what, we lost a member of the Big Brother family and she will be missed.”
Us Weekly has reached out to CBS for comment.
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Alexa, 31, shared photos of the pair’s festivities to her Instagram Stories on Thursday, December 25. In the pics, their daughter, Vienna, wore themed holiday pajamas and sat in front a mountain of wrapped presents.
After opening her gifts, Vienna cuddled up to dad Brennon, 35, for another social media pic.
Alexa and Brennon, who got married in June 2021 after appearing on season 3 of the pod experiment, announced their separation earlier this month.
“After much reflection and many heartfelt conversations, we have made the difficult decision to end our marriage,” a joint Instagram statement read. “This choice was not made lightly, and it comes with a great deal of care, respect, and appreciation for the time we’ve shared.”
They continued, “We entered this relationship with love and optimism, and we leave it with gratitude for the experiences that shaped us and the growth we each gained along the way. While our journey as a married couple is coming to an end, we remain supportive of one another, devoted to our daughter, and committed to navigating this transition with compassion.”
Alexa and Brennon further stressed that they planned to keep Vienna, who was born in July 2021, their “top priority” moving forward.
While Brennon has not publicly addressed the couple’s separation, Us Weekly confirmed that he filed for divorce on November 5.
“The marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities between [Brennon] and [Alexa] that destroys the legitimate ends of the marriage relationship and prevents any reasonable expectation of reconciliation,” his filing read.
Courtesy of Alexa Lemieux/Instagram
Alexa responded to Brennon’s motion nearly one month later, denying his claims and requesting a disproportionate share of the pair’s estate over “fault in the breakup of the marriage.”
In the weeks since their legal back-and-forth, the pair have been focused on Vienna’s first holiday season. Alexa, who identifies as Jewish, celebrated Hanukkah with her little girl earlier this week.
“It’s the last night of Hanukkah, and we want to make some latkes,” Alexa said in a Sunday, December 21, Instagram video, noting the potato pancake recipe once belonged to her grandmother. “I’m going to modify the recipe just a bit since it’s just me, baby girl and dad having latkes tonight. Normally I make them for a whole load of people, but tonight it’s just the three of us.”
While Alexa didn’t clarify whether Brennon celebrated Hanukkah with her, she further explained why it was important to share traditions with their daughter. (Alexa and Brennon previously planned to raise Vienna as an interfaith couple.)
“Life has been a little crazy, to say the least, the last few weeks,” she added. “I’m really glad that we can try and keep some holiday traditions going this year when everything else is just a lot.”
Alexa quipped in conclusion, “While I would tell you not to believe everything you read online, you can believe these are damn good latkes.”
Alexa and Brennon met and got engaged sight unseen in the Love Is Blind pods during 2022’s season 3.
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“We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family,” a spokesperson for Paramount Television Studios told Us in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
Borella had collapsed while the crew were preparing a scene at Venice’s Hotel Danieli, according to multiple local outlets at the time. In light of Borella’s passing, the show briefly halted production. Lily Collins, who plays the titular Emily, and her costars resumed filming two days later.
Emily in Paris follows an American marketing executive after she moves from the United States to Paris to begin a new job at a luxury marketing agency. By the end of season 4, Emily was tasked with leading a branch of the company in Rome with new love interest Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini) in tow.
After a whirlwind on-off romance, Emily and Marcello traveled to Venice in the season finale for the city’s fashion week — and the debut of Marcello’s eponymous line. Despite a successful presentation, the couple ended up breaking up when Marcello revealed his plans to move back to Italy to assume control of his family’s fashion house. Emily, for her part, wasn’t ready to say au revoir to the City of Lights.
Courtesy of Diego Borella/ Instagram
The final episode further hinted that Emily could reconcile with ex-boyfriend Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), who sent her a postcard to “meet [him] in Greece.”
“Gabriel is important. He’s part of the DNA of the show,” series director and executive producer Andrew Flemingexclusively told Usabout the chances of reconciliation for the fan-favorite pair. “When he and Emily are in a scene together, something undefinable happens. They have this chemistry. They do. There’s just something about the two of them that’s very watchable.”
Fleming further teased that there’s more to Emily and Gabriel’s story if Emily in Paris gets renewed for a season 6.
“Looking ahead, they’re part of each other’s journey. Who is to say who Emily is going to end up with, but Emily and Gabriel are going to interact with each other,” the director told Us. “Stuff is going to happen [but] I really can’t say anything about what’s going to happen next season.”
Bravo’s Gabriel left his job running the Michelin-winning L’esprit de Gigi restaurant to serve as the private chef on a British businessman’s yacht.
“The ‘sexy chef’ was very much part of me in season 1 and we grew apart season after season because of the choices he makes and because of the direction they make him take,” Bravo told IndieWire in October 2024. “I’ve never been so far away from him. … There is only so much I can do in the limits of a script. I tried for seasons to bring nuances but we don’t have much liberty on set. We cannot change a word or an emotion. They know what they want and we just have to comply.”
Emily in Paris season 5 is currently streaming on Netflix.
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The iconic Cape Town Minstrel Carnival returns to the Mother City on 5 January 2026.
Now known as the Hollywoodbets Cape Town Street Parade, this annual event is the longest existing carnival in the city and is an integral part of the city’s cultural heritage. Historically this celebration took place on 2 January aka Tweede Nuwe Jaar and the minstrels were to referred to as the Kaapse Klopse – this celebration the Mother City’s biggest event to usher in the New Year.
What To Expect at the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
Thousands of minstrels in glittery uniforms from a variety of troupes with face paint, hats and parasols march through the city’s roads, playing their signature “ghoema” music on banjos, trumpets and drums. The troupes are spaced out so that each performance happens separately, allowing onlookers to hear each troupe. There is also a structure to each troupe, with non-instrument playing members called “voorlopertjies” leading the way with extravagant dance moves while the band provides the backing soundtrack.
Among this year’s troupe lineup you will see Original D6 Hanover Minstrels, Mitchells Plain Young Tycoons, Phantoms Community Development, Ashwin Willemse Orient Community Development, Young Wild Comanches, Manenberg Superstars, Carnival Boys Youth Development (also known as Crystal Palace), Wild Apache, Baruch Entertainers, CPT Hawkers, Fabulous Seawind Entertainers, and many more.
Experience The Magic
The parade is set to attract a crowd of 80,000 to 100,000 spectators, eager to experience over 16 minstrel troupes and 20,000 performers.
The parade will begin at the corner of Somerset Rd and Dixon St. The route will follow along Somerset Rd all the way to the DHL Stadium.
Road Closures
To accommodate the parade and ensure public safety, several roads will be closed from 6am on Monday, 5 January to Tuesday, 6 January 2026.
Affected streets include:
Street/Road
Restriction
Between
Closure Time
Opening Time
Main Rd
Full Closure (residential access lane between Upper Portswood Rd & Highfield Rd)
York Rd
Buitengracht Street
06h00
23h59
Prestwich Street
Full Closure
Alfred St Granger
Chiappini Street
06h00
23h59
Somerset Road
East Bound closure
Bay Blvd Granger
Granger Bay Blvd
06h00
23h59
Fritz Sonnenberg
Full Closure
Bay Blvd Granger
Rd Portswood
06h00
23h59
Somerset Road
Full Closure
Bay Blvd
Buitengracht St
06h00
23h59
Ebenezer Road
Full Closure (Hotel Access only)
Prestwich St Javis
RD Somerset
06h00
23h59
De Smit Street
Full Closure
St Napier St Javis
Somerset RD
06h00
23h59
Moreland Terrace
Full Closure
St Schiebe St
Somerset RD
06h00
23h59
Napier Street
Full Closure
Dixon St
Somerset RD
06h00
23h59
Alfred Street
Full Closure
Prestwich St
Somerset RD
06h00
23h59
Dixon Street
Full Closure
Strand St
Javis St
06h00
23h59
Chiappini Street
Full Closure
Prestwich St
Somerset RD
06h00
23h59
Chiappini Street
Full Closure
Napier St Liddle
Somerset RD
06h00
23h59
Alfred Street
Full Closure (Hotel Access only)
St Beach Rd
Schiebe St
06h00
23h59
Prestwich Street
Full Closure
Portswood Rd
St Alfred
06h00
23h59
Cobern St
Full Closure
Granger Bay Blvd
Somerset Rd
06h00
23h59
Granger Bay Blvd
East Bound Carriage Closure
Helen Suzman
Helen Suzman
06h00
23h59
Fort Wynyard St
Full Closure
Blvd
Granger Bay Blvd
12h00
23h59
Fritz Sonnenberg
Full Closure
Beach Rd
Vlei Road
Full Closure
Fritz Sonnenberg Rd
12h00
23h59
Local access and permit holders:
Street/Road
Restriction
Between
Closure Time
Opening Time
Main Road
Permit Holders Only
Granger Bay Blvd
Three Anchor Bay Blvd
06h00
23h59
Granger Bay Blvd
Permit Holders Only
Helen Suzman Blvd
York Rd
06h00
23h59
Ebenezer Road
Permit Holders Only
Port RD
Prestwich St
06h00
23h59
Bennett Street
Permit Holders Only
Port RD
Prestwich St
06h00
23h59
Hudson Street
Permit Holders Only
Waterkant Street
Somerset RD
06h00
23h59
Hudson Street
Local Access Only
Hudson St
Strand St
06h00
23h59
Vos Street
Local Access Only
Vos St
Strand St
06h00
23h59
Rose Street
Local Access Only
Rose St
Strand St
06h00
23h59
Waterkant
Local Access Only
Buitengracht St
Waterkant St
06h00
23h59
Cavalcade Road
Local Access Only
York Rd
Upper Portswood Rd
06h00
23h59
Thornhill Road
Local Access Only
Cavalcade Rd
Upper Portswood Rd
06h00
23h59
Entry
The HollywoodBets Cape Town Street Parade is free for the public. Follow Cape Town Street Parade on Facebook, Instagram, and X, for the latest updates on the start route and other information.
Cape Town welcomes 2026 on a high note – January is peak summer, and the city comes alive with an unbeatable mix of concerts, festivals, sport, culture and outdoor experiences. From iconic events like the Cape Town Minstrels Street Parade and the King’s Plate to international music tours, open-air theatre and cricket at Newlands.
Cats, the Musical
2-11 January 2026 Artscape Theatre, Cape Town
Pieter Toerien and GWB Entertainment in association with Cape Town Opera by arrangement with The Really Useful Group presents CATS. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s world-famous musical Cats brings iconic songs, choreography and theatrical magic to the Artscape stage. Tickets from R180 on Webtickets.
WAV Festival by AfroNation
2 January 2026 Green Point Track, Cape Town
A festival R&B lovers cannot miss! Amapiano’s Kelvin Momo brings his deep, emotional sound to the festival, while Shekinah’s golden voice is set to light up the stage. The lineup also includes Mariah the Scientist, Wale, Langa Mavuso, and Kujenga. Cape Town, get ready for a high-energy stadium showcase featuring the best in R&B. Find ticket information here.
Milk & Cookies Festival
3 January 2026 Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town
This multi-genre festival celebrates music, food, and community. From amapiano to R&B, house to hip-hop, Milk and Cookies blends global sounds with local culture for one unforgettable celebration. Vibrant stages, curated food vendors, immersive art installations, and the kind of energy that turns a crowd into a community – it’s a gathering where culture, connection, and creativity meet. For tickets go to Howler’s website and for more information visit the official page here.
Step into the New Year with Blanche; an All-white outdoor celebration, curated by AfroFuture and PVO. This signature experience blends live music, an unmatched atmosphere, and the most vibrant crowd. Presented by Martell, set against Cape Town’s stunning backdrop. Click here for ticket information.
Freshlyground Reunion Concert
4, 11, 18 January 2026 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Freshlyground reunites for a special open-air concert at Kirstenbosch, delivering feel-good hits in one of Cape Town’s most popular outdoor venues. Find more information and ticket information.
Cape Town Minstrels Street Parade
5 January 2026 Somerset Road & Fan Walk, Green Point
The iconic Cape Town Minstrel Carnival returns to the Mother City on 5 January 2026. The annual event fills the streets with colour, music and tradition, continuing into DHL Stadium for the Kaapse Klopse Choral Competition. Tap here for the latest event information.
St Tropez presents: Uncle Waffles – The ultimate day time escape
5 January 2026 Cabo Beach Club, Cape Town
Turn on the glitz and glamour at this epic Cabo Beach experience. Headlined by global sensation Uncle Waffles, expect nothing less than an unforgettable day of pulsating beats, high-energy performances, and pure sophistication. The event promises world-class local DJs spinning infectious sounds that keep the energy flowing from noon until sunset. Get your tickets now.
MI Cape Town vs Joburg Super Kings
6 January 2026 Newlands Cricket Grounds
Catch SA20 cricket action as MI Cape Town face the Joburg Super Kings at the historic Newlands Cricket Ground. For ticket info, email info@ticketpro.co.za or visit the website here.
Cape Town Jazzathon
9-11 January 2026 Amphitheatre, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Celebrating its 29th anniversary this year, the Cape Town Jazzathon is South Africa’s longest-running music festival. Often referred to as “The People’s Festival,” the event will feature performances daily, from 12.30pm to 8pm. Enjoy a rich variety of styles including Afro Jazz, Cape Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, Neo Soul, and Straight Ahead packed into three days of non-stop entertainment… and its free!!! Learn more.
L’Ormarins King’s Plate
10 January 2026 Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse
The Running of the 165th King’s Plate – the L’Ormarins King’s Plate is one of South Africa’s most prestigious horse racing events, combining elite racing, high fashion and a vibrant atmosphere. The King’s Plate is a totally blue and white affair where guests can enjoy some of the country’s best racing, wine, food, antique car displays and renowned after party in the peak of Cape Town’s summer. Tickets start from R600. For more information visit here.
Maynardville Open-Air Festival
From 13 January 2026 Maynardville Park, Wynberg
Cape Town’s premier open-air theatre experience returns, featuring live performances in a magical forest setting. Opening on 13 January, the Shades of Blue Chamber Concert will feature music from composers influenced by the rhythms and harmonies of jazz. Next up is Jazz in the Park (14 to 15 Jan), a new two-day celebration featuring local jazz legends from Cape Town’s rich jazz tradition. From 16 to 17 January, another crowd-favourite Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra returns with a stirring classical programme. See the full festival programme.
Calum Scott – The Avenoir Tour
14 January 2026 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
International singer-songwriter Calum Scott performs live at Kirstenbosch as part of his global Avenoir Tour. Gates open at 6pm. Concert starts 7pm. For more information, go to Big Concert’s website.
Sheer City Festival
17-18 January 2026 Harrington Street Precinct
Sheer City is launching its inaugural two-day inner-city festival bringing together Cape Town’s most influential underground nightlife crews with international acts like Horse Meat Disco, Tama Sumo & Lakuti, Make A Dance, Freudenthal, and more. It’s a multi-venue, walkable block party across Harrington Street and the City Bowl fringe, a celebration of Cape Town’s creative pulse, queer culture, music, fashion, performance, and community. Expect six venues, over twenty artists, a full weekend immersion in the city’s next cultural moment.
Sheer Drop at Texas – 2pm to 10pm Sheer Delight at The Electric – 5pm to 2am Sheer Disco at Harringtons – 6pm to 4am Sheer D.O.G at Zer021 Social – 8pm to 4am Sheer Assembly at District – 8pm to 4am Sheer Dive at Surfa Rosa – 9pm to 4am
Long, lazy afternoons, cool beats and Cape Town’s most iconic views. Summer at Durbanville Hills is super chilled, and with it, the popular cellar’s much-loved Sundaze Summer Series. DJ Stefanos will be spinning tracks from 2pm to 6pm while you enjoy crisp wines, cocktails, craft beer, wine slushies, and a mouth-watering selection of eats from the Olive Grove Bistro. Set against panoramic vistas of Table Bay and Table Mountain, Sundaze is the perfect way to vibe with friends and family. Tickets cost R100pp and available via Webtickets.
Shxtsngigs: Daddy’s Home – South Africa Tour
27 January 2026 Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town
The viral podcast duo James and Fuhad bring their Daddy’s Home live show to Cape Town, blending comedy, culture and crowd interaction. Whether you’re a die-hard Cult Baby or just discovering the podcast that’s racked up millions of streams and laughs worldwide, this live experience is your chance to see the boys like never before – live, loud, and uncut. Tickets from R440 via Ticketmaster.
DHL Stormers vs Vodacom Blue Bulls
27 January 2026 DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Get ready for a major rugby showdown as the DHL Stormers face the Vodacom Blue Bulls in one of the season’s most anticipated fixtures. Cape Town is set to bring the gees – get your tickets today on the Stormer’s website.
World Sports Betting Cape Town Met
31 January 2026 Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse
Prepare for the grand return of the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met, where the thrill of elite horse racing converges with a multisensory celebration unlike any other. The 2026 theme Symphony of Style combines fashion, music, and immersive moments. Book your tickets via Computicket.
Tom Bradyhas seemingly offered a glimpse of his mindset amid the news that his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen, has gotten married again.
Brady, 48, uploaded a selfie in his car to his Instagram Stories on Saturday, December 20, where he sported a white “Forever Young” hoodie.
“Yuppppppp 💯,” the former NFL quarterback captioned his upload, setting the post to Logic’s song “1-800-273-8255.”
While Brady did not further explain the meaning of his post, it comes hours after Us Weekly confirmed that Bündchen, 45, married her boyfriend, Joaquim Valente, earlier in December.
The supermodel started dating Valente, 38, nearly a year after she and Brady divorced.
“This is the first time I am seeing someone that was a friend of mine first,” Bündchen told The New York Times in March 2024, detailing the origins of her romance. “It’s very different. It is very honest, and it’s very transparent.”
Bündchen further stressed that there hadn’t been any overlap in her respective relationships with Brady and Valente.
“That is a lie. This is something that happens to a lot of women who get blamed when they have the courage to leave an unhealthy relationship and are labeled as being unfaithful,”she said, shutting down affair speculation. “They have to deal with their communities. They have to deal with their family. Of course for me, it just happens to be a little bit amplified.”
Courtesy of Tom Brady/ Instagram
Bündchen and Valente later welcomed their first child together, a baby boy whose name has not been publicly revealed, in February. Bündchen is already mom of son Benjamin, 16, and daughter Vivian, 13, whom she shares with Brady.
“There’s definitely some challenges and there’s a lot of blessings, and I think just us as parents, we’re just trying to help them navigate a little bit,” Brady, who also shares 18-year-old son Jack with ex Bridget Moynahan, exclusively told Us in 2024 about raising his kids. “There’s a lot of cool things, a lot of things that are maybe a little tricky, but you just got to deal with it all in the best way you can.”
He added, “I think giving them perspective all the time is really important. They’re kids, so we’re all human. We’re all going through stuff, so they’re going through their own set of unique experiences and you just try to give them the right perspective on the things that you’ve experienced and that you can correlate to their life.”
According to Brady, he’s hopeful that his three children will eventually find “a life of purpose.”
“As parents, we just want our kids to do better than us, and I think that’s for all of us. My parents did that for me,” the football GOAT explained at the time. “I want to try to guide my kids into a life of purpose and one that they can find their joy and happiness and create a life and a family together with someone and find things they love to do when they wake up in the morning.”
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